Jennifer McCrickerd

Philosophy,
Drake University

Thursday September 22: 
“The Science and Psychology of Learning”

Students are always learning in class but they aren't always learning what we'd like them to be learning.  By understanding how and why people learn and tapping into our natural inclinations, we can begin to create circumstances that will encourage the sorts of learning we want.  In this presentation, we will draw on work in neuroscience, psychology and philosophy to better understand why students (and we) do some of the things they do and develop some ways to address problems we face in the classroom.  You will leave this session with at least a better understanding of the challenges you face when teaching and, if all goes well, some solutions.

Biography

 Jennifer was born and raised in Southern California but after more than 15 years at Drake University now considers herself to be an Iowan. She disappointed her parents’ dreams of her becoming both a physician and the winner of the Nobel Prize in Physics by majoring in philosophy at Wellesley College and continuing to get a Ph.D. in philosophy at Washington University. She works with students in a Philosophy and Religion Department discussing ethics, education, justice, how cool the brain is, and that evolution is really about survival of the fit enough not the fittest.